Limerence: Unpacking the Intense Infatuation That's Not Love
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Moneycontrol08-01-2026, 07:00

Limerence: Unpacking the Intense Infatuation That's Not Love

  • Limerence is a psychological term for deep emotional fixation on another person, introduced by Dorothy Tennov.
  • It's distinct from love, thriving on uncertainty, hope, and imagined possibilities rather than mutual understanding.
  • Key features include intrusive thoughts, strong desire for emotional return, and heightened sensitivity to the other's behavior.
  • Individuals may replay conversations, seek meaning in small gestures, and experience intense emotional highs and lows.
  • Limerence can occur even with unavailable or distant individuals, explaining overwhelming crushes and difficulty moving on.

Why It Matters: Limerence is an intense, often consuming infatuation distinct from love, rooted in psychological fixation.

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